Invitation: Book release. Gender, HIV and Social Work

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

I have recently written a book entitled Gender, HIV and Social Work .

The book focuses primarily on the gender differentials still existing in the

field of HIV/AIDS and women- infected or affected- are still not being

considered at par with men, especially in their access to livelihood options.

The world is now entering the fourth decade of the AIDS epidemic without any

cure or foolproof vaccine in sight. A major part of India is still in the first

phase of ignorance about the virus and the need for ending any discrimination

against the infected whereas we should now develop mechanisms for care and

support of the infected and the affected.

The status of women continues to be poor and the hate and rejection facing a

positive woman is widespread. Gender differentials both at the policy as well as

the programme level exist.

Access to health care institutions is poor and there is hardly any counseling

which keeps the needs of infected or affected women in focus. There is a need of

trained social workers both in the urban and rural areas to meet the counseling

requirements of a person from the infection stage till the end and, if possible,

afterwards to the bereaved family.

The book attempts to point out all these issues and the need to develop an all

inclusive set of policies and plans of action.

The book has been released in the ongoing World Book Fair in New Delhi and can

be perused at Stall No 22-26 in Hall No 1.

World Book Fair in New Delhi

Start Date : 30-Jan-2010 End Date : 07-Feb-2010

Venue : Pragati Maidan

If you have time and are in Delhi during the period, kindly have a look at it.

Dr Sudhir Varma, IAS(Retd), PhD,

Director, Social Policy Research Institute,

Jaipur.

e-mail: <sudhirvarma@...>